This local news story shows parent's opinions over Nintendo releasing a brand new console. They noted that the new console couldn't even play NES games, and complained that this was the company trying to steal money from their kids.

Our videogame industry is hotter than ever this season, and one good reason: Nintendo has introduced some hot new toys. But have things gone a bit too far?

Does this really have to cost this much? Where should the anger be directed, not at the parent, but at the weapon manufacturer.

So it has come to this, therapy sessions for families that you could call 'Nintendpendents'.

First all the peer pressure starts, and I start to feel exploited.

As you can see, the 3D effect is pretty good by videogame standards.

I'm going to say No, and I am going to explain to him how people market things to make you spend more money.

This is also notable because it has beta footage of Super Mario World (with the name Super Mario Bros. 4 still in the title).

The PBS video is actually pretty good as a talking piece rather than the shock-value local news story. Even though we know what happened to AME and Tengen, it's really interesting to hear their business objection to Nintendo's closed platform approach - something incredibly commonplace today in the phone and console marketplace.

The counterpoint that is also interesting (but rarely discussed by the press) was one of the big reasons why Nintendo used so much control over their 3rd parties - namely that they had to give Toy retailers a stable, profitable product that wouldn't be confused for the 2600. Considering they had to trick their way into retail with the ROB, a lot of what their naysayers had to say comes off just as sour grapes.

(Though they certainly did get punished for various anti-competitive business practices later)

The one story I always wanted a follow-up on, though, was that fabulous Next Generation piece where [edit] Tramiel accused Sony of price dumping.